Monday, July 16, 2012

When we lost our lovely Ruby Chicken, I was concerned that Opal would be lonely.I was so concerned, in fact, that I even got another chicken, Pearl, who in the end turned out to be an Earl (for a flashback, click here).

After (P)Earl went back to his original owners, we didn’t even try to get another hen.By then, Opal had made it clear that being Queen of the Coop was just fine with her.I’ve tried to schedule a little more time for Opal so that she can free-range more often in the yard.And the one good thing about having only one chicken is that when it is blazing hot outside (it’s Texas, ya’ll), I can bring her inside during the hottest part of the day and put her in a dog crate that’s sitting in my craft room.Opal has let me know that she really, really likes air conditioning – she snuggles right down and rests.I know, I know…but I’m just a pushover!

Opal has always liked to cuddle with us in the evenings, but lately she has really taken a shine to Robert.She doesn’t confine her snuggling to the dusky hours, but feels free to pester him at any time, even when he’s busy doing something:

She also still loves to get in the one flower bed that I have that is of a more ornamental nature and she just scratches it to pieces.Robert put up these cute little pieces of picket fencing for me:

It still doesn’t keep her out, but at least it looks cute.

Yes, my Opal seems to like being the Lone Ranger just fine.High-yo Silver!

Gone But Never Forgotten: Cookie...

...And Chewka Marie...

...And Ruby...

Liked roosting on our shoulders, eating grapes, and hanging out with Opal

...And Pearl

Liked running free in the yard, scratching in the garden bed that was supposed to be off-limits, and being close to a human at all times. "Her" crowing led to "her" having to go back to her original family due to a city ordinance against roosters!

...And Molly

Likes EVERYONE IN THE WHOLE WORLD, pouncing Cookie and Toffee, going out to potty at 2:45 a.m., and drinking water out of puddles. Is now living with another family in the area, in a big house with a pool and two other Golden Retrievers!